Damage to Bridges from Wind, Storm Surge and Debris in the Wake of Hurricane Katrina

This report, the fifth in a series detailing post-Katrina field investigations by the MCEER team, focuses on the structural performance of bridges based on findings from reconnaissance trips to the coast of Mississippi and the adjoining parts of Louisiana and Alabama. The first investigation took place September 6-11, 2005, about a week after the event, with the second following a month later, in October 2005. It is hoped that findings from these field investigations will lead to improvements in coastal bridge design standards, similar to the way post-earthquake investigations have led to a better understanding of seismic loadings and an improved performance-based seismic design specification.